Mayor's Office Hours

The new Mayor's Aide, Greg Page, sent this out:

Attached to this e-mail is a press release from the Office of Mayor Patrick Murphy regarding the traditional Office Hours that he will hold in the Office of the Mayor at City Hall, as well as the Virtual Office Hours he will offer via Facebook.

Then follows the Press Release:

Lowell, MA, March 20, 2012 – Mayor Patrick Murphy has formally announced that he will hold Office Hours in the Office of the Mayor in City Hall.  During two designated time periods each week – 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays – Lowellians will be able to meet with the Mayor on a drop-in basis to discuss whatever issues, concerns, or ideas are on their minds.  No appointments are necessary.

The announcement of formal Office Hours fits with one of Mayor Murphy’s primary objectives during his tenure as Lowell’s Mayor – increasing citizens’ direct access to government.

“Too often, citizens feel disengaged from government, even at the municipal level, because of a distance they perceive between themselves and the people making the decisions,” Murphy said.  “By announcing regular blocks of time during which I can be accessible, I hope to break down that perceived barrier.  There are people in this city who have lived and worked here for years, but have never been inside this office, which is really their office,” he added.

Mayor Murphy will also hold “Virtual Office Hours” the first Monday of each month from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.  During that time period, Mayor Murphy will be signed on to his Facebook page, available to chat, respond to Wall Posts, or Facebook messages in real time.  Mayor Murphy’s first Virtual Office Hours will be held on Monday, April 2nd.

Direct meetings with the Mayor are not limited to the Office Hour blocks of time of Wednesdays and Fridays.  Any resident who would like to meet with Mayor Murphy, but cannot do so during those times because of work, family, or other commitments, can reach out to directly to the Office of the Mayor to schedule a more convenient time.  To schedule a meeting with Mayor Murphy, please contact Greg Page at (978) 674-1551 or e-mail gpage@lowellma.gov.

There you have it.

I think folks should be encouraged to drop in on the mayor and tell them what they think.  We need more communication between the "Government" and the citizens.

Regards  —  Cliff